Eileen Gambrill

• PhD University of Michigan
• Professor at University of California, Berkeley

Unmentioned challenges to conducting valuable research in social work include the politicization of education and weakened educational standards at all levels. Discovery of what helps clients requires free speech and free inquiry, always a threat to those who prefer authoritarian approaches.

Purpose This article presents a systematic review of research regarding how best to educate social work students and practitioners concerning of the process of evidence-based practice and/or the application of empirically supported treatments (ESTs). Method We conducted a systematic review with a narrative synthesis, largely following the Cochrane...

Values, knowledge, and skills integral to the process of evidence-based practice have much to offer efforts to implement evidence-based practices including recognizing ignorance as well as knowledge and identifying the need for deviations from mandated programs because of individual variations in client circumstances and differences, including cult...

Editor’s note: This article is reprinted from Volume 80-4 (1999) as part of the Revisiting Our Heritage series. Nearly 20 years ago, one of the earliest articles to appear in a social work journal on evidence-based practice (EBP) was presented by Eileen Gambrill. While many are familiar with Gambrill’s contributions as a pioneer of the EBP movement...

The manifest purpose of professional journals is to share important knowledge. Increasing revelations of flaws in the peer-reviewed literature shows that this purpose is often not honored and that inflated claims of knowledge as well as other concerns such as misrepresentations of disliked or misunderstood views are rife. In this article, avoidable...

Sources of risk to children include far more than risk of harm to children from biological parents. Key opportunities to reveal and decrease avoidable ignorance that contribute to avoidable risk to children and families have been neglected such as clearly describing the evidentiary status of services provided and outcomes attained. A systemic view...

The integration of research and practice is of concern in all helping professions. Has social work become an evidence-based profession as some claim? Characteristics of current-day social work are presented that dispute this view, related continuing concerns are suggested, and promising developments (mostly outside social work) are described that s...

Integrating practice and research is vital in all helping professions in order to offer the most ethical, evidence-informed interventions to clients. This article describes some avoidable distractions that hinder integration, discusses controversies related to integration, and describes options for moving forward, including making wasted resources...

This chapter addresses potential barriers to good clinical decision-making, found at all levels of practice. It begins with decision-making at the micro-level -that is, at the level of the individual clinician, who faces a series of decisions with each new case: How to frame problems, what outcomes to pursue, when to stop collecting information, wh...

The Campbell and Cochrane Collaborations were created to reveal the evidentiary status of claims focusing especially on the effectiveness of specific interventions. Such reviews are constrained by the population of studies available and biases that may influence this availability such as preferred framing of problems. This highlights the importance...

Professor Thyer addresses the vital question “How can we prepare practitioners to integrate research in practice settings?” His focus on ethical concerns due to a failure in integration and suggestion to seek legal remedies are welcome ones. Their importance is highlighted by continuing to disregard the close relationship between ethical and eviden...

The quality of professional education affects the quality of services offered to clients. Examples of avoidable ignorance that dilute the quality of education social workers receive are suggested, indicating that we have not been honest and energetic brokers of knowledge and ignorance. Related reasons are suggested, including a reluctance to take r...

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is one of the most successful technologies in modern times. In spite of well-argued critiques, the DSM and the idea of "mental illness" on which it is based flourish, with ever more (mis)behaviors labeled as brain diseases. Problems in living and related distress are converted into med...

Applied behavior analysts have been helping people to enhance the quality of their lives for decades. Its characteristics as described by Baer, Wolf, and Risley continue to guide efforts to help clients and their significant others. Yet, this knowledge often languishes unused and unappreciated. Distortions and misrepresentations of applied behavior...

Social work is a profession that draws (or should draw) on available knowledge in the disciplines as well as other sources including other professions in the pursuit of “the betterment of life conditions of individuals, groups, and communities.” An historical perspective illustrates opportunities taken and lost to harvest knowledge in pursuit of th...

This article draws on Ellul’s analysis of propaganda in understanding propaganda in the helping professions. Key in such an analysis is the interweaving of the psychological and sociological. Contrary to the discourse in mission statements of professional organizations and their codes of ethics calling for informed consent, competence of profession...

This entry highlights the importance of carrying out an individualized assessment as a prelude to making decisions regarding intervention. Diagnosis is distinguished from assessment. The guiding role of practice theory is noted and options for collecting information as well as characteristics of a contextual, evidence-informed assessment are descri...

The domain of outcome research is enormous and the consequences weighty. Ethical, practical, and political goals of evaluation have insured a multitude of outcome studies concerning social, behavioral, and educational interventions as well as critiques thereof and descriptions of how to conduct related research. We have a rich literature guiding th...

To determine the effectiveness of an index in increasing recognition of misleading problem framing in articles and manuscripts. A propaganda index consisting of 32 items was developed drawing on related literature. Seventeen subjects who review manuscripts for possible publication were requested to read five recent published reports of randomized c...

• Summary: The purported purpose of literature in the helping professions is to contribute to helping clients. Most authors who prepare articles are employed in universities and colleges which claim to value the pursuit of truth. Yet the professional literature is rife with inflated claims of what ‘we know’ and ‘do not know’ as well as distortions...

Comments on The dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychological treatments: A review of current efforts (see record 2010-02208-010) by Kathryn R. McHugh and David H. Barlow. The lead article in the February–March issue by McHugh and Barlow (2010) emphasized the need for “dissemination and implementation of evidence-based psychologi...

This study examined social work studentsÆ opportunities to learn, practice, and sharpen interviewing skills. MasterÆs students identified opportunities to observe interviewing models and to receive feedback on their own real or practice interviews. Students reported few opportunities to observe or listen to real, videotape, or audiotape models or t...

The most concerning issue affecting the quality of practices and policies in the helping professions is the play of propaganda, which misleads us regarding what is a problem, how (or if) it can be detected, its causes, and how (or if) it can be remedied. Propaganda is defined as encouraging beliefs and actions with the least thought possible. Censo...

The process and philosophy of evidence -informed practice are described as well as the origins of evidence-based decision making. Hallmarks and implications of this philosophy and process are described, including honoring ethical obligations to clients and moving away from authoritarian practices and policies. Educational implications are noted as...

The process and philosophy of evidence-informed practice and its utility in the helping professions including child welfare practices and policies is described in this chapter. This is distinguished from the view of evidencebased practice as using empirically based practices -the EBPs approach. The role of clinical expertise in integrating informat...

Child welfare practitioners make life-altering decisions on a daily basis. This chapter describes factors affecting decisions drawing on literature concerning decision making, problem solving and judgement in multiple areas. The importance of thinking critically about decisions, including related uncertainties, is highlighted. Topics discussed incl...

Evidence-informed practice and policy at the macro level offers great potential for honoring ethical guidelines to integrate practice and research, to involve clients as informed participants, to respond ethically to problems of scarce resources, to enhance social and economic justice, and to empower clients. The process and philosophy of evidence-...

Different views of evidence-based practice (EBP) include defining it as the use of empirically-validated treatments and practice guidelines (i.e., the EBPs approach) in contrast to the broad philosophy and related evolving process described by the originators. Social workers can draw on their code of ethics and accreditation standards both to selec...

The author suggests that transparency in all venues, including social work education, practice and policy, and the conduct and reporting of related research, will be required to advance the effectiveness of professional education. Possibilities for improving the quality of professional education differ in terms of how evidence-informed practice is...

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Reviews of textbooks in many fields reveal numerous errors and outdated information. Is this true in social work? The authors review content in three school social work texts in relation to research available at the time in three content areas: bullying, sex education, and externalizing disorders. We found mixed coverage of the evidentiary status o...

Choices about how to view evidence-based practice (EBP) are being made by educators, practitioners, agency administrators, and staff in a variety of organizations designed to promote integration of research and practice such as clearinghouses on EBP. Choices range from narrow views of EBP such as use of empirically based guidelines and treatment ma...

In 2002, I published an article in the Journal of Social Work, in which, based on my experience as an external assessor for the UK's RAE (Research Assessment Exercise), I raised concerns about lack of clarity in criteria used to review research. Susanne MacGregor responded to my original article in a subsequent edition of the Journal of Social Work...

The 1958 working definition of social work practice highlights past and current paradoxes, competing interests, confusions, and mystifications in social work. Outcomes are not mentioned in this definition, reflecting the lack of attention to describing variations in services and their outcomes. This, as well as not clearly distinguishing between ob...

• Summary: In the United Kingdom a formal assessment of all universities’ research is undertaken through the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) approximately once every five years. The results are published and lead to each academic unit receiving a ranking (on a seven-point scale). Funding for research follows these rankings. Initiatives designed...

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of clients. The authors describe and offer counterarguments to objections to EBP. These objections could result in premature dismissal of this new form of practice and education that offers potential benefits t...

This study explored criteria social workers and social work students reported using to make decisions in three situations: with clients, when seeking help from a physician regarding a serious medical problem of their own, and criteria they would ideally like to use when working with clients. Criteria included both those that do not provide a rigoro...

Noting that child welfare professionals can improve the quality and integrity of the services they provide if they develop ethical decision making skills, this book provides child welfare administrators and caseworkers with a framework for assessing ethical dilemmas, making sound ethical decisions, and delivering services with integrity to clients....

Although social work is flourishing by many outward signs, such as the increased number of schools of social work, it is argued that this growth has not honored obligations in our code of ethics, for example to inform clients, to empower them, and to offer competent services. A great disconnect continues between what we say we do and value and what...

Risk assessment studies in child welfare have largely focused on identifying individual or family risk factors associated with future harm or on the value of various assessment tools constructed of such factors, paying scant attention to the risk posed by the system and its larger context. These risks include services provided to children and famil...

This article provides an overview of the context in which decisions about risk are made in child welfare including personal, task, and environmental factors that may contribute to uncertainty and less-than-optimal decision making, as well as some of the methodological challenges posed by the use of current risk assessment instruments. Actuarial, co...

There is no agreement on “one way of knowing” in social work, and it is certainly not scientific reasoning that is accepted, as can be seen by examining the literature in social work on “different ways of knowing.”

Encouraging professionals in training and later to consider practice-related research findings when making important clinical decisions is an on-going concern. Evidenced-Based Medicine (EBM) and the Cochrane Collaboration (CC) provide a source of tools and ideas for doing so, as well as a roster of colleagues who share this interest. Evidenced-base...

Encouraging professionals in training and later to consider practice-related research findings when making important clinical decisions is an on-going concern. Evidenced-Based Medicine (EBM) and the Cochrane Collaboration (CC) provide a source of tools and ideas for doing so, as well as a roster of colleagues who share this interest. Evidenced-base...

Keynote speaker: Dr. Eileen Gambrill, School of Social Welfare, University of California at Berkeley - "Thinking about Knowledge and How to Get It"

In the past 3 decades, the development and application of behavioral methods within social work has greatly expanded. This article provides an overview of behavioral social work.

This article describes a measure that assesses ability to think critically about whether to adopt a treatment method. The measure is called PRIDE1 (Principles of Reasoning, Inference, Decision-Making and Evaluation). PRIDE1 takes about 80 minutes to administer an emotional audiovisual argument and to obtain written responses. Scoring each response...

Behavioral methods entered the stage of clinical psychology in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Various names for this approach include behavior therapy and behavior modification. The essence of behavioral intervention is providing new learning experiences that will help to resolve problems. Behavioral methods have been applied to a wide variety of...

Williams Reid's recent book Task Strategies provides an opportunity to review the relationship among task-centered, behavioral, and empirical practice. As noted in this book, task-centered practice has drawn ever more heavily on behavioral methods. Similarities and differences between task-centered and behavioral practice are discussed. It is sugge...

Priorities for social work research are suggested and obstacles discussed Clarifying the goals of research is suggested as a first step. Success in helping clients prevent or resolve real-life problems is suggested as a key purpose ofknowledge development in professions such as social work Priorities identified include diffusion of successful progr...

Using data from a random telephone survey, this paper explores the nature of annoyances between neighbors. Neighbor annoyances were both pervasive (90% of the respondents reported that they experienced at least one annoyance in the last 3 years) and varied (averaging 2.5 different types per respondent). The estimated percentage of life stress attri...

Neighbors comprise one potential source of social support. This paper offers an overview of literature concerning the actual and potential role of neighbors in providing support. Literature in social psychology, social skills training as well as research concerning neighbors and neighboring has been neglected in exploring the potential for enhancin...

Although it is generally acknowledged that mentor relationships facilitate professional development and advance careers, little is known about the influence of gender on the nature and pattern of these relationships, especially for women in academe. On the basis of material in the literature and of their own and others' personal experiences, the au...

Compared 2 groups of undergraduates, 48 with and 72 without a visible physical disability, on self-reported assertion. As predicted, disabled Ss reported higher assertion (less discomfort and a higher probability of response). Significant correlations were found between assertion and scores on the UCLA Loneliness Scale and a measure of perceived co...

Criteria used to evaluate socially competent behavier of women are described and critiqued. Many definitions of social competence do not employ a process view of social behavier in which individual goals and values as well as specific verbal and nonverbal behaviers are considered. This may result in the imposition of artificial goals on consumers o...

Recent changes in legislation and policy have removed some of the obstacles to use of permanency-planning procedures for children; nevertheless, many remain. These include personal obstacles, such as conceptions of and attitudes about permanency planning, lack of knowledge about human development and methods of change, and use of ineffective assess...

This article offers an overview of permanency planning, including the background out of which such planning emerged. Barriers to permanency planning as well as efforts to remove these are described, and current issues are discussed.

Important procedural ingredients in working with biological parents are identified. These include: (a) pursuit of clientselected goals; (b) use of written service agreements; (c) confining attention to problems critically related to an overall goal; (d) identification of clear objectives; (e) use of effective social influence processes, such as off...

Implementation of permanency-planning procedures will require training of social workers. Clear guidelines are available that can be drawn upon to design effective programs and to evaluate effectiveness using process as well as outcome data. Characteristics of effective programs are identified, and some needed areas of training are highlighted, inc...

Data were gathered concerning use, need for, experience with social services, knowledge of services available, and preference for service provider from 394 gay/lesbian respondents in the San Francisco Bay Area as well as from a sample of agency staff. The majority of gay/lesbian respondents were white, well educated and young. Service need was high...

This paper identifies gender related issues in social skills training groups and describes a non-sexist response to them. Some of the issues dealt with are the status considerations women face in assuming many roles, the gender bias in tools used to assess social skills, and the way gender affects cognitive and emotional variables related to such s...

Social skills training helps group members to develop ways to behave competently in specific interpersonal situations. This paper identifies gender related issues in such training and describes a non-sexist response to them. Some of the issues dealt with are the status considerations women face in assuming many roles, the gender biases in tools use...

The range of factors identified as related to child maltreatment has expanded over the years. The literature clearly calls for an ecological approach in which individual, family, community, and societal factors are considered. The behavioral literature to date reflects an unevenness in terms of acceptance of such an approach. Studies are also uneve...

Examination of material from other countries can help to identify useful service delivery patterns, to indicate the extent to which problems and proposed solutions in foster care and adoption are unique or similar across different countries and to identify factors that may be related to similarities and differences. Important sources of information...

Although considered by some writers to be one way of integrating research and practice, single-case study designs have recently been criticized for failing to facilitate research and practice goals. The authors offer a perspective in which knowledge-building efforts are seen along a continuum ranging from exploratory to causal and indicate that suc...

Counselor-client contracts were employed to facilitate parental participation in decision making for their children who were in out-of-home care. The components of such contracts are described and an example is provided. A significant relationship was found between parental willingness to sign a written agreement and outcome.